Just on the Sharks' team, this is how their announced their side to face Ulster, with a little help from some school kids in Durban.

It's 10/10 for me all round.

Image source, The Sharks

Speaking on BBC Two NI, Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says the message is to "go for it".

Let's see if his players can deliver.

The race for the United Rugby Championship plays-offs is tight. Like, proper tight.

Six points split eight teams heading into this weekend, and things have become even closer.

On Friday, Cardiff defeated Munster to boost their top-eight hopes and dent the Irish province's in the process.

The Bulls defeated Glasgow - with both sides locked in the top four - while Edinburgh and Zebre played out a thrilling 25-25 draw.

The Lions downed Connacht earlier today, the Ospreys hammered the Dragons to sneak into the play-off battle and the Stormers hammered Benetton.

In the shock of the round, Leinster have LOST to Scarlets, who now fly into the top eight.

What a result for the Welsh outfit.

Image source, BBC Sport

Louis Ludik
Former Ulster wing on BBC Two NI

The Sharks have incredible experience. It's going to be tough today for Ulster.

The Sharks

The Sharks, who are fourth in the URC table, had named nine World Cup winners in their starting line-up but, in a late change, Eben Etzebeth has been ruled out.

That leaves Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Jaden Hendrikse and Andre Esterhuizen in their team.

Sharks boss John Plumtree makes two changes from the XV that started last week's win over Edinburgh as Jason Jenkins and James Venter are recalled, while Manu Tshituka comes in for Etzebeth.

Sharks: Fassi; Hooker, Am, Esterhuizen, Mapimpi; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Nche, Mobambi, Koch; Vincent Tshituka, Jenkins; Venter, Manu Tshituka, Kolisi.

Replacements: Mbatha, Mchunu, Jacobs, Manu Tshituka, Buthelezi, Davids, Masuku, Julius

Image source, Inpho

Ulster hooker Tom Stewart believes his side are playing "knockout rugby" going into their United Rugby Championship game against the Sharks.

After results in the URC on Friday evening, Ulster are 11th in the league standings, three points outside the all-important top eight.

After they host the Sharks in Belfast this weekend, Richie Murphy's side finish their campaign away to Munster and Edinburgh, with Stewart feeling they are in must-win territory if they are to stand a chance of making the play-offs.

"I feel it's knockout rugby now, we're at a stage we need to win all these games to guarantee us going through," he told BBC Sport NI.

"It's nice to have that, it also puts a bit of added pressure, but one we can hopefully step up to."

BBC iPlayer

You can watch tonight's game on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two NI from 19:15 BST.

Former Ulster backs Tommy Bowe and Louis Ludik join Stephen Watson in Belfast.

Ian Humphreys is on co-commentary duty alongside Jim Neilly.

We'll have have updates right here, so you are well covered.

Image source, Inpho

Werner Kok said his three-month spell out injured was "very frustrating" but that he now hopes to contribute to Ulster's United Rugby Championship play-off push.

The South African winger will make his long-awaited return to the pitch against his former side the Sharks in Ulster's must-win game tonight.

The 32-year-old is keen to make up for lost time and build on a bright start to his Ulster career as the province attempt to secure a victory that will help their hopes of finishing in the top-eight.

"It's been three months since I played so it's been very frustrating," he told BBC Sport NI.

"The first six weeks with a bit of a rest, I came back and felt really good, then a small tweak of the hamstring kept me out for a little bit more. It wasn't planned to be that long, so it was a tough one, especially the last two weeks with the boys playing so well."

Alan O'Connor and Andy Warwick are among eight players who will leave Ulster Rugby at the end of the 2024-25 season.

The pair are two of 11 players who have represented the province more than 200 times.

Dublin native O'Connor, who has regularly captained the side, joined Ulster in 2012 after representing the Ireland Under-20s and was named the side's player of the year in the 2020-21 season.

Warwick, who came through the club's academy, made his senior debut in February 2014.

"Al [O'Connor] and Waz [Warwick] have been superb role models in the way they go about their work with a no-nonsense attitude and total commitment to the jersey over the years," said Ulster's general manager Bryn Cunningham.

"Both players hit the milestone of reaching over 200 caps for Ulster Rugby earlier this season, becoming members of that special club."

As well as previously confirmed exits for John Cooney, Kieran Treadwell and Reuben Crothers, prop Corrie Barrett, scrum-half Michael McDonald and flanker Matty Rea will also be departing Kingspan Stadium at the end of the season.

Image source, Inpho

Ulster

Werner Kok and Stuart McCloskey have returned to the Ulster team for tonight's crucial United Rugby Championship game against a Sharks team loaded with Springboks.

Former Sharks wing Kok has been out injured since January while Ireland international centre McCloskey replaces Stewart Moore after missing last week's defeat by Leinster.

With Michael Lowry sidelined, Jacob Stockdale starts at full-back.

There's a late enforced change for Ulster with Tom O'Toole ruled out ahead of kick-off, which brings Scott Wilson into the starting team and Bryan O'Connor slots in on the bench.

Alan O'Connor will captain the team in his final home match, with Rea, Andrew Warwick and Kieran Treadwell also set for a farewell Kingspan outing.

Ulster: Stockdale; Kok, Postlethwaite, McCloskey, Ward; Murphy, Doak; Warwick, Herring, Wilson; A O'Connor (capt), Izuchukwu; Matty Rea, Timoney, McNabney.

Replacements: Stewart, Reid, B O'Connor, Dalton, Treadwell, Shanahan, Morgan, McCann.

A lovely evening for rugby.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Inpho

Evening, folks.

It's a glorious evening for what is a huge game of rugby.

Ulster's season hangs in the balance as they chase a coveted top-eight finish in the United Rugby Championship.

The Sharks, littered with South African World Cup winners, are in Belfast and will be a tough nut to crack.

You can watch it live on BBC Two NI and BBC iPlayer from 19:15 BST.

We'll also have updates right here, so you won't miss a thing.

Strap in, this could be a good one.